2021 Grants Accepted through October the 15th

✨Announcing RFP grant recipients soon! ✨

  • Sort Order

  • Funding Year

  • Funding Timeframe

  • Category

Grant Recipient

SciTech Hands On Museum

The Dunham Fund supports of Aurora’s SciTech Hands On Museum, the premier STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) educational center in the Fox Valley for over 30 years.

In 2019, SciTech will conduct a Feasibility Study to develop a plan to reimagine their children’s museum. This plan will help create a framework to communicate new exhibits, use space more effectively, optimize staffing, and improve the SciTech experience for guests.

The $30,000 grant from The Dunham Fund will provide SciTech with the resources to better serve the Fox Valley area with STEAM education for years to come.

All Recipients

Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry

This grant provides support for Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry’s Critical Food & Supplies Fund. This fund ensures that it is prepared to serve its clients in unprecedented circumstances, such as when their food supply and budget deplete during a surge in client needs. It also allows for the pantry to hold a supply of critical items an individual may need, such as gas cards, diapers, formula, or other critical supplies.

Women’s Business Develoipment Center

This grant allows the Women’s Business Development Center to continue its ScaleUp and ScaleHigher programs in Aurora, supporting local small business owners in building and growing a successful business. It also allows the WBDC to implement new Digital Boot Camp, which builds small business owners’ knowledge, skills and confidence in using digital tools to optimize their business efforts.

SciTech

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports SciTech’s work in creating and facilitating a Fox Valley STEM Alliance to help coordinate STEM/STEAM education programming by various nonprofit organizations throughout the Fox Valley area.

Sarah’s Smile of Illinois

This sponsorship grant from the Dunham Foundation provided support for Sarah’s Smile of Illinois’ Prom Part Duex! event.

Paramount Arts Centre

This grant from the Dunham Foundation allows the Paramount to engage a consultant to guide a comprehensive campaign planning project to build a holistic fundraising campaign with the goal of raising $31M to honor the 100th anniversary in 2031.

Oswegoland Park & Recreation Foundation

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provided sponsorship support for the Leon McNair Memorial Golf Classic.

Mutual Ground

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports Mutual Ground as it continues to provide free and confidential services and advocacy to individuals affected by domestic and sexual violence.

Mount Carmel High School

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports Mount Carmel High School’s Student Financial Assistance program, alleviating financial barriers for current and incoming students.

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry’s operations at a temporary location, ensuring the Pantry is able to continue serving its clients during its renovation and expansion project.

Holy Angels Catholic School

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provided sponsorship support for Holy Angels Catholic School’s 2024 Seraphim Ball.

Fox Valley Park Foundation

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provided sponsorship support for Fox Valley Park Foundation’s 2023 Golf Outing.

Forefront

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports a continued partnership to offer nonprofits in the greater Aurora area professional development workshops.

Dominican Literacy Center

This grant was given to Dominican Literacy Center by the Dunham Foundation’s Board of Directors in honor of Sr. Kathleen Ryan’s 30 years of service to the Center.

Community Support Services

This grant provided sponsorship support for Community Support Services’ 40th Anniversary Circles of Support Celebration.

Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence – Batavia High School

This grant provided support for Batavia High School’s INCubator Program. The INCubator Program serves sophomores, juniors and seniors a real entrepreneurship experience with an opportunity to develop their own product or service.

Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence – Batavia Fine Arts Centre

This grant supported the Batavia Fine Arts Centre’s 2023-2024 season.

Aurora University

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports the planning and implementation of Aurora University’s new Career Skills Infusion Program. As today’s work environment becomes more competitive for those entering the workforce, many employers are considering college graduates based on a competency-based hiring model. Research by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) identified core competencies students should possess to be considered by top employers: career and self-development, critical thinking, leadership, teamwork, communication, equity and inclusion, professionalism, and technology. Aurora University’s Career Skills Infusion program will advance true career readiness options for the youth in our community to help prepare them for life beyond their college careers.

Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry

This challenge grant from the Dunham Foundation provides sponsorship support for Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry’s 2024 Radiothon

Association for Individual Development

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provides sponsorship support for AID’s 2023 Benefit Auction.

Mutual Ground

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports Mutual Ground’s contracting with the Illinois Facility Fund to conduct a feasibility study for Mutual Ground’s building expansion and strategic plan.

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports Mutual Ground’s contracting with the Illinois Facility Fund to conduct a feasibility study for Mutual Ground’s building expansion and strategic plan.

Fox Valley Patriotic Organization

This grant provides supports fundraising efforts to build a Flag Day Monument in Batavia, IL. This monument, the first of its kind, honors Dr. Bernard Cigrand, a Batavian who had the vision to create a day to commemorate the adoption of the American Flag, and unfolds our nation’s history beginning in 1776 and continuing through today.

This grant provides supports fundraising efforts to build a Flag Day Monument in Batavia, IL. This monument, the first of its kind, honors Dr. Bernard Cigrand, a Batavian who had the vision to create a day to commemorate the adoption of the American Flag, and unfolds our nation’s history beginning in 1776 and continuing through today.

Community Foundation of the Fox River

This sponsorship supports CFFRV’s Lasting Legacy Gala, celebrating its 75th anniversary of serving the greater Fox Valley area.

This sponsorship supports CFFRV’s Lasting Legacy Gala, celebrating its 75th anniversary of serving the greater Fox Valley area.

Changing Children’s Worlds Foundation

This sponsorship supports Changing Children’s Worlds Foundation’s 10th Annual Stand Up for Kids spring fundraiser.

This sponsorship supports Changing Children’s Worlds Foundation’s 10th Annual Stand Up for Kids spring fundraiser.

Three Fires Council – Boy Scouts of America

This grant supports the Three Fires Council and its efforts to expand programming to include mental and behavioral health education and support for youth in the Aurora area.

This grant supports the Three Fires Council and its efforts to expand programming to include mental and behavioral health education and support for youth in the Aurora area.

The Neighbor Project

This grant supports The Neighbor Project’s financial counseling services for the Aurora Financial Empowerment Center, counseling individuals to help bring them and their families out of poverty.

This grant supports The Neighbor Project’s financial counseling services for the Aurora Financial Empowerment Center, counseling individuals to help bring them and their families out of poverty.

Wayside Cross Ministries

This grant supports Wayside Cross Ministries’ capital improvements at their Lifespring Center and programming at their Urban Youth Ministry (UYM). The UYM program provides tutoring and mentoring support to Aurora-area students during the school year and summer programming.

This grant supports Wayside Cross Ministries’ capital improvements at their Lifespring Center and programming at their Urban Youth Ministry (UYM). The UYM program provides tutoring and mentoring support to Aurora-area students during the school year and summer programming.

Waubonsee Community College

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports Waubonsee Community College’s Bridge to the Bi-Lingual Paraprofessional Program to help meet the immense need for bilingual professionals in the classroom.

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports Waubonsee Community College’s Bridge to the Bi-Lingual Paraprofessional Program to help meet the immense need for bilingual professionals in the classroom.

TriCity Family Services

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports TriCity Family Services as they continue to providing vital counseling services to the growing number of those in need of mental health support in the greater Aurora area.

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports TriCity Family Services as they continue to providing vital counseling services to the growing number of those in need of mental health support in the greater Aurora area.

The Aurora Catholic Educational Foundation –

50th Anniversary of the Aurora Catholic Education Foundation

50th Anniversary of the Aurora Catholic Education Foundation

Serenity House

This grant allows Serenity House to expand its teen mental health and wellness & substance use prevention ambassador project to schools throughout the Aurora area.

This grant allows Serenity House to expand its teen mental health and wellness & substance use prevention ambassador project to schools throughout the Aurora area.

Quad County Urban League

This grant will allow Quad County Urban League to provide support to over 150 participants who experience barriers to completing the program such as childcare, housing, and transportation needs.

This grant will allow Quad County Urban League to provide support to over 150 participants who experience barriers to completing the program such as childcare, housing, and transportation needs.

Pigment International

This grant provides sponsorship support for Pigment International Foundation’s Black Fine Art Month Salon Talk.

This grant provides sponsorship support for Pigment International Foundation’s Black Fine Art Month Salon Talk.

Paramount Arts Centre

This grant supported Paramount Arts Centre’s 2023 Gala, featuring performances by Broadway Tony-winning performers Sutton Foster and Brian Stokes Mitchell.

This grant supported Paramount Arts Centre’s 2023 Gala, featuring performances by Broadway Tony-winning performers Sutton Foster and Brian Stokes Mitchell.

Northern Illinois Food Bank

This grant allowed Northern IL Food Bank to provide food, at no cost, to food pantries in the Dunham Foundation Service Area.

This grant allowed Northern IL Food Bank to provide food, at no cost, to food pantries in the Dunham Foundation Service Area.

North Central Illinois Finishing Trades Institute

This grant allows the North Central Illinois Finishing Trades Institute to create a video – and Web-based apprenticeship recruitment strategy to increase enrollment in its apprenticeship program, building the finishing trades workforce throughout the greater Aurora area.

This grant allows the North Central Illinois Finishing Trades Institute to create a video – and Web-based apprenticeship recruitment strategy to increase enrollment in its apprenticeship program, building the finishing trades workforce throughout the greater Aurora area.

Illinois Bar Foundation

This grant provides support for the Illinois Bar Foundation to serve individuals in the Aurora Service Area

This grant provides support for the Illinois Bar Foundation to serve individuals in the Aurora Service Area

Sarah’s Smile of Illinois

This sponsorship grant from the Dunham Foundation provided support for Sarah’s Smile of Illinois’ Prom Part Duex! event.

This sponsorship grant from the Dunham Foundation provided support for Sarah’s Smile of Illinois’ Prom Part Duex! event.

Northwestern Memorial Foundation – Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provides assistance for the issues and items patients from the Dunham Foundation Service Area need to receive specialty rehabilitation such as mobility with wheelchairs, walkers, home-entry ramps, or transportation to and from appointments.

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provides assistance for the issues and items patients from the Dunham Foundation Service Area need to receive specialty rehabilitation such as mobility with wheelchairs, walkers, home-entry ramps, or transportation to and from appointments.

North Central College

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provides continued program support for 15 Dunham Scholars at North Central College.

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provides continued program support for 15 Dunham Scholars at North Central College.

Mutual Ground

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports Mutual Ground as it continues to provide free and confidential services and advocacy to individuals affected by domestic and sexual violence.

This grant from the Dunham Foundation supports Mutual Ground as it continues to provide free and confidential services and advocacy to individuals affected by domestic and sexual violence.

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

This grant sponsors Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry’s Garden Harvest Dinner.

This grant sponsors Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry’s Garden Harvest Dinner.

Lewis University

This grant from the Dunham Foundation, supports the Dunham Aviation Scholars, and Workforce Pipeline Initiative. This initiative provides 10 scholarships to to students who have graduated from high schools within the Dunham Foundation Service area and enroll in the University’s aircraft maintenance degree program.

This grant from the Dunham Foundation, supports the Dunham Aviation Scholars, and Workforce Pipeline Initiative. This initiative provides 10 scholarships to to students who have graduated from high schools within the Dunham Foundation Service area and enroll in the University’s aircraft maintenance degree program.

Greater Chicago Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (GCAMP)

This grant from the Dunham Foundation allows GCAMP to purchase tour guide systems designed for plant tours as they explore various manufacturing jobs as a career path. It also allows GCAMP to advertise the GCAMP New Hire Survey, which gathers data from new manufacturing employees on their hiring and early career experiences. Results from this survey allow GCAMP to hone its best practices when it comes to solving the skilled workforce gap for manufacturers in Kane County and the surrounding areas.

This grant from the Dunham Foundation allows GCAMP to purchase tour guide systems designed for plant tours as they explore various manufacturing jobs as a career path. It also allows GCAMP to advertise the GCAMP New Hire Survey, which gathers data from new manufacturing employees on their hiring and early career experiences. Results from this survey allow GCAMP to hone its best practices when it comes to solving the skilled workforce gap for manufacturers in Kane County and the surrounding areas.

Fox Valley Park Foundation & Kiwanis Club of Aurora

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provided sponsorship support for Fox Valley Park Foundation and Kiwanis Club of Aurora’s Inaugural Pickleball-A-Thon Charity Tournament.

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provided sponsorship support for Fox Valley Park Foundation and Kiwanis Club of Aurora’s Inaugural Pickleball-A-Thon Charity Tournament.

Fox Valley Park Foundation

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provided sponsorship support for Fox Valley Park Foundation’s 2023 Golf Outing.

This grant from the Dunham Foundation provided sponsorship support for Fox Valley Park Foundation’s 2023 Golf Outing.

Fox Valley Patriotic Organization

This sponsorship supports Fox Valley Patriotic Organization’s Gala and First Look of the Flag Day Monument. The event

This sponsorship supports Fox Valley Patriotic Organization’s Gala and First Look of the Flag Day Monument. The event

Fox Valley Food for Health

This grant supports FVFFH’ss Healthy Meals program, delivering free, healthy meals to cancer patients and their families to ensure a healthy meal as they navigate a cancer diagnosis. It also supports FVFFH’s teen volunteer program.

This grant supports FVFFH’ss Healthy Meals program, delivering free, healthy meals to cancer patients and their families to ensure a healthy meal as they navigate a cancer diagnosis. It also supports FVFFH’s teen volunteer program.

Forefront

This grant provided sponsorship support for Forefront’s 2022 Virtual Summit.

This grant provided sponsorship support for Forefront’s 2022 Virtual Summit.

Family Focus

This grant supports Family Focus’ early childhood education programming through its Doula and Home Visiting services with families and children ages 0-5.

This grant supports Family Focus’ early childhood education programming through its Doula and Home Visiting services with families and children ages 0-5.

Citizens police Academy

This grant supports the Aurora Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy Alumni Law Enforcement Youth Academy.

This grant supports the Aurora Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy Alumni Law Enforcement Youth Academy.

City of Aurora African American Heritage Advisory Board

This grant supports the 17th Annual Aurora African American Heritage Scholarship Dinner.

This grant supports the 17th Annual Aurora African American Heritage Scholarship Dinner.

STAY up to date

Get the latest Dunham Foundation updates delivered right to your mailbox.